Hello, Reader.

Last week we left you hanging a little. We mentioned having a 6-day weekend coming up and plans starting to unravel. Well, as we thought may happen, Chicago never quite solidified into a yes.

No stunning skyline, no deep-dish pizza, and no day spent cheering on the White Sox.

Instead, we loaded the kayaks in the truck and headed to Chain O' Lakes State Park for a challenge we'd been eyeing for a while. Nine lakes, connected by narrow water passageways, paddled in one go. In fact, we're probably out there on the water as you're reading this.

The state park count continues

Chain O' Lakes makes 14 out of Indiana's 24 state parks that we've explored. That in itself is a challenge we took on when we first arrived in Indiana - visit all the state parks. Each one is unique and we want to experience them all.

We'll tell you all about the 9 Lake Paddle Challenge next week. How it went, what surprised us, and whether our arms ever forgave us. But planning this trip reminded us how many Indiana parks we've quietly explored over the years, and how few we've actually shared with you.

So consider this the highlight reel before the highlight reel. And since summer's still in full swing, we're focusing on a few favorites that are especially good while the days are long and warm. (There are others on the list that are extra special in fall and winter, so we'll save those for when the temperatures start to drop.)

Here are a few of our favorites from the list so far:

Indiana Dunes State Park: Three miles of beach along the southern edge of Lake Michigan. And if you've never seen the Great Lakes in person, they're a genuine sight to behold, worth making the trip just to get a glimpse. Lake Michigan gives you crashing waves, rip currents, and an ocean-sized horizon; all without the salt. It's the kind of place that makes you forget you're still in the Midwest.

Pokagon State Park: Yes, this park is well known for winter tobogganing, but summer here means beach days on Lake James, horseback trail rides, and a lodge that's just as cozy in August as it is snowed in mid-winter.

Falls of the Ohio State Park: This park is the smallest of the bunch, at a mere 165 acres, but it holds a 390-million-year-old fossil bed and an interpretive center covering everything from ancient marine life to the start of the Lewis & Clark expedition. Small park, big history, and a nice shady break from the summer sun.

Mounds State Park: Featuring ten earth mounds built thousands of years ago by the Adena-Hopewell people. This park packs a spiritual punch while also providing miles of hiking trails winding along the White River, as well as river access for canoeing and fishing.

To learn more about the 13 state parks we've explored so far, read our blog post, Best State Parks in Indiana: Your Complete Guide to Hiking, Camping & More.
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In the guide we cover:

• Features of each park
• Our very own "Best for" awards
• Park challenges you can complete on your own
• And which parks feature an inn where you can stay overnight

And if you're chasing your own progress through Indiana's 24 state parks, grab our ​​Indiana State Parks Checklist and start checking off your own list as you go.

Next Monday, we'll bring you inside the 9 Lake Paddle Challenge itself. We'll share what makes park number fourteen special and what nine lakes' worth of paddling narrow passages will actually do to two people with two kayaks and a lot of optimism.

With love,

P.S. Wish us luck on the water. We can't wait to tell you all about it next week!

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